FAQs

Yes, this is one of the most common reasons to remortgage. Your specialist team can advise on what the process involves and what your new lender will require.

Yes, though the process involves the housing association, who is usually given a set period to try to find a buyer for your share before you can market it on the open market. Your specialist Shared Ownership team can talk you through the specifics of your lease.

Many, though not all, shared ownership leases allow you to staircase to full ownership. This depends on the terms of your specific lease, which our team can review for you.

Yes. Every PLS client has access to our secure online portal, so you can check progress, view documents, and see what’s needed next at any time.

Yes, our 24/7 client portal lets you see where your purchase stands at any time, alongside receiving updates directly from your case handler.

Yes, we regularly support buyers using these schemes. Each comes with its own eligibility rules and legal requirements, and our team will make sure everything is handled correctly from application through to completion.

Yes. We regularly act on new build purchases using the First Homes Scheme and Shared Ownership, and our team can talk you through how each scheme affects your purchase.

Not every lender has a First Homes mortgage product, and criteria can vary between those that do. Your mortgage broker will usually confirm which lenders are suitable, and we’ll liaise with them to ensure the legal side keeps pace with your mortgage offer.

Most lenders ask for a minimum of 5% of the purchase price, though a larger deposit can open up better mortgage rates. Your mortgage broker will confirm exactly what you’ll need based on your circumstances.

In most cases, yes. Because you don’t own the whole property, your housing provider is typically involved in remortgaging alongside your lender, and their consent may be required.

No. Contracts and other documents can be signed electronically through our portal, so you don’t need to visit our offices in person.

No, Stamp Duty Land Tax doesn’t apply to a straightforward remortgage with no change in ownership.

Most purchases above a certain threshold are subject to Stamp Duty Land Tax, calculated on a sliding scale based on the property price. You can use our Stamp Duty Calculator on the site to get an estimate for your purchase.

No. We’re on a wide range of lender panels, so we can act for you regardless of which lender you choose.

Yes, we have a team who specialise in Part Exchange transactions, supporting you through the added steps this route involves.

Once contracts are issued, the buyer’s solicitor may raise enquiries about the property. We manage these on your behalf, only coming to you where we need further information or documents.

Once your offer is accepted, we’re instructed, confirm terms, carry out searches, review the contract pack, and guide you through signing, exchange, and completion. You can see the full step-by-step journey and download it as a PDF on this page.

With First Homes, you buy 100% of the property outright at a discounted price, rather than purchasing a share and paying rent on the remainder as you would with Shared Ownership. Our Shared Ownership team can advise if you’re weighing up which route suits you.

New build purchases involve additional legal steps, including reviewing the developer’s contract, checking build specifications, and working to the developer’s own timelines for exchange and completion, which can move faster than a typical resale.

Remortgages are usually quicker than a purchase or sale, often completing within 4-6 weeks, though this depends on your lender and how quickly documentation is returned.

It varies depending on the chain and any searches involved, but most first-time buyer purchases complete within 8 to 12 weeks from offer acceptance. We’ll keep you updated at every stage so you always know where things stand.

Timescales vary depending on your transaction type. A straightforward purchase or sale typically takes 8–12 weeks, while new build conveyancing can take longer due to developer timelines. Remortgages are usually quicker, often completing within 4–6 weeks. We keep you updated every step of the way through our 24/7 client portal.

Most lenders ask for a minimum of 5% of the purchase price, though a larger deposit can open up better mortgage rates. Your mortgage broker will confirm exactly what you’ll need based on your circumstances.

Your costs will depend on the type and complexity of your transaction, the property value, and any additional searches or disbursements required. We provide a free, instant quote with no hidden fees — so you’ll know exactly what to expect before you instruct us.

No. While it’s most common on new build developments, resale shared ownership properties, where a previous owner is selling their share, are also widely available.

Not every development offers First Homes properties, and local councils can set additional local connection or occupation conditions for their area. We’ll confirm the specific requirements attached to the property you’re buying.

You’ll typically need proof of ID, your property’s title information, and details of any alterations, guarantees, or planning permissions relevant to the property. Your case handler will confirm exactly what’s needed for your sale.

The discount is written into the property’s title, so when you come to sell, the home must be offered at the same percentage discount to another eligible first-time buyer. We can talk you through what this means for your sale in advance so there are no surprises.

It’s an unfortunate possibility in any property chain. If this happens, we’ll talk you through your options and help you remarket the sale as quickly as possible.

This isn’t unusual with new builds. Our team will let you know as soon as we’re notified, and guide you through anything you need to do to meet the new date.

Delays with other parties in the chain are one of the most common causes of a slower transaction. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we’re aware of any hold-up, and let you know what it means for your dates.

As your ownership share increases, the rent you pay on the remaining share reduces proportionally. Your conveyancer will confirm the updated figures as part of the staircasing process.

Your eligibility is checked before exchange, so once contracts are exchanged your purchase proceeds as normal. If your situation changes earlier in the process, let us know straight away so we can advise on next steps.

Let us and your mortgage broker know as early as possible. Your lender will need a signed gifted deposit declaration, and we’ll guide you through exactly what’s required.

A legal charge is the formal record of your lender’s interest in the property, registered at the Land Registry. When you remortgage, your old charge is removed and the new lender’s charge is registered in its place.

Sale Ready lets us start the legal groundwork, such as title checks and preparing key property information, before you’ve even found a buyer. That means less waiting once an offer is accepted, and it’s free to use.

We combine legal expertise with modern technology to make your move as smooth as possible. Our online portal gives you 24/7 access to your case, so you’re never left wondering what’s happening. We specialise in new build and residential conveyancing, and we’re proud to be recognised for outstanding client care.

Standard searches typically include local authority, water and drainage, and environmental checks, with additional searches such as mining or chancel searches where relevant to the property’s location.

A conveyancer specialises in the legal side of property transactions. A solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer who can do everything a conveyancer does, plus provide wider legal advice. At PLS, our team are solicitors, so you get property expertise backed by full legal training.

Exchange of contracts is when the transaction becomes legally binding, and your deposit is paid. Completion is the day ownership actually transfers to you and you get the keys. There’s usually a gap of one to two weeks between the two, though this can vary.

We handle new build, buying, selling, shared ownership, and remortgage conveyancing, all from our offices in Altrincham, Liverpool, and Teesside.

At the start of your transaction we will send you our Client Care Letter. This will confirm the name of your conveyancer and their contact details. You can also find the contact details for your conveyancing on your PLS Portal 24/7 account.  Your conveyancer can be contacted by phone and email. You can track the progress of your transaction anytime, anywhere through your PLS Portal account PLS Portal 24/7 – PLS Solicitors (pls-solicitors.co.uk).

We require photo and proof of address identification for every client that we act for. This is required in order to comply with our obligations under the money laundering regulations. The money laundering regulations also require us to verify the identify of all of our clients. To ensure that this is done in a safe and convenient way for you, we use a 3^rd party provider of ID checks. Further details are contained in the Client Care Letter sent to you at the start of your transaction. 

We are also subject to statutory guidance that makes it compulsory for us to ask you about where you are getting the money from to fund any transaction. We have no alternative but to ask you these questions and you must answer our questions and provide us with the information and evidence that we require.

Your new lender will usually arrange their own valuation of the property. This is separate from the legal work we carry out on your behalf.